# Didn't airlines use to allow two carry-on bags? When did they stop? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 5, 2006, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-airlines-use-to-allow-two-carry-on-bags-when-did-they-stop/347092 "2006-03-05T01:26:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Cerowyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/82dd89/32.png) [@Cerowyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cerowyn)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2006, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-airlines-use-to-allow-two-carry-on-bags-when-did-they-stop/347092/21 "2006-03-06T07:30:33Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > In practice, Canadian airlines often let you get away with a second bag if it is a handheld jobbie. I fly a lot and have only been charged for excess baggage on a couple occasions, even when the rules would justify a charge. Actually, as a quick check of [Air Canada’s](http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelinfo/airport/baggage/carry-on.html) website will confirm, economy travellers can carry-on two pieces of luggage that conform to their size restrictions. Also: > [@](#): > > Items permitted but not considered part of the allowance include camera, coats, purses (25cmx30cmx20cm or less), urns containing human remains, strollers, child restraint systems, canes, crutches, walkers, containers carrying life sustaining items and other similar items. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2006, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-airlines-use-to-allow-two-carry-on-bags-when-did-they-stop/347092/22 "2006-03-06T07:40:18Z")
> [@Otto](#): > > Every flight I’ve ever been on in the US, the aisle instantly packs as soon as the plane stops and often before. Given the choice between standing in a jammed aisle and sitting waiting for the people ahead of me and those behind me who try to rush the door, I’ll stay seated. Yeah, i must say that unless i have a really tight connection, i’m never usually frantic to rush off the plane. And, because i usually check luggage, i’m just going to be waiting by the baggage carousel anyway, so i see no point in cramming the aisle as soon as the plane stops. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2006, 9:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-airlines-use-to-allow-two-carry-on-bags-when-did-they-stop/347092/23 "2006-03-06T09:55:23Z")
> [@Bill Door](#): > > I agree with the 20 minute time in most cases. If you’re a business traveller flying 30 round trips a year that’s 20 hours spent staring at a carousel. Preach it, bro. 15-20 minutes? Ain’t no way I want to wait that long. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2006, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-airlines-use-to-allow-two-carry-on-bags-when-did-they-stop/347092/24 "2006-03-06T14:33:12Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > Yeah, i must say that unless i have a really tight connection, i’m never usually frantic to rush off the plane. And, because i usually check luggage, i’m just going to be waiting by the baggage carousel anyway, so i see no point in cramming the aisle as soon as the plane stops. That’s fine. Please stay seated until everyone else is gone. ---
**Author:** ![lizardling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f4b2a3/32.png) [@lizardling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lizardling)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2006, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-airlines-use-to-allow-two-carry-on-bags-when-did-they-stop/347092/25 "2006-03-08T00:26:25Z")
On an Indonesian puddlejumper flight years ago, I was surprised that people started getting up \*\*literally \*\* as soon as the plane hit the tarmac, let alone wait until we were \*\*at \*\* the gate. Is that what happens on \*\*TokyoPlayer’s \*\* flights, I wonder? That said, I generally prefer just to take a smallish duffel and my laptop case as I detest waiting for the carousel and would rather shake the dust of the airport off my heels as soon as possible. Better yet, combine the lot into one bag. (Let’s hear it for Timbuk2!) ---
**Author:** ![Huerta88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/82dd89/32.png) [@Huerta88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Huerta88)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2006, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-airlines-use-to-allow-two-carry-on-bags-when-did-they-stop/347092/26 "2006-03-08T00:54:02Z")
> [@even sven](#): > > Hey, thats _my_ rant! I can’t figure out how people are always so suddenly surprised when it’s their turn to move. It’s as if they hadn’t really realized that they were standing up and waiting in line to get off the plane. When the person in front of them walks off, they get this surprised look on their face and start looking around for luggage and coats and kids and stuff while we all stand their watching them. Grrr. Ha ha. You stole my thought waves. The “surprised” part is my favorite (I usually also add “dazed” or “stunned.”). N.B. that the reverse process applies when they board the plane: “I have this ticket here. It has a row number on it. Is there any way of telling which row I’m at? Hmmm. Now what? Do I put my luggage away first, or sit down first? Dunno. Best bet is **probably** to stand in the aisle here while I figure it all out. Or maybe I’ll do that for awhile and then sit in **Huerta** ’s assigned seat and then act all baffled when he tells me that 16A is a window, not an aisle, and is on the other side of the plane. Yeah, that’s it.” [/rant] Laptops have not helped the situation. And while this is subjective, I have the impression that the increase in women traveling for business has aggravated things – I’ve never met the woman who thinks her purse, gym bag, etc., no matter how big, counts against however many the carry-on item limit is. Some airlines are better (more tolerant and carry-on friendly) than others. Continental has actually made a point of advertising their larger overhead bins (on the 777, they’re enormous), and sued various airports or security companies for trying to enforce a bag-size limit at the security gate that would effectively force passengers to check any bag exceeding the lowest-maximum-size limit enforced by any other airline. Virgin Atlantic, OTOH, is in my experience pretty Draconian with carry-on (they enforce both a size and weight limitation, whereas on most airlines you could carry on a backpack of lead ingots as long as it wasn’t too voluminous). ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2006, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-airlines-use-to-allow-two-carry-on-bags-when-did-they-stop/347092/27 "2006-03-08T01:57:48Z")
> [@Bill Door](#): > > It is post 9/11. Actually, a (seriously inconsistent) crackdown on the luggage allowance was underway already by summer of '01, as “Air Rage” was big in the news and this was claimed to be part of a move to restore order, as it were. There WERE airlines at the time seeking to enforce “two bags, one small enough to fit under the seat”. 9/11 pushed it into a single “one carry-on plus one personal item” industrywide standard (and also made it far easier to enforce the “get nasty inflight and you’ll be subdued, handcuffed, and arrested upon arrival” rule). > [@Otto](#): > > Every flight I’ve ever been on in the US, the aisle instantly packs as soon as the plane stops and often before. Given the choice between standing in a jammed aisle and sitting waiting for the people ahead of me and those behind me who try to rush the door, I’ll stay seated. Indeed. I’m the guy also sitting patiently at the other side of the aisle. Which is also very comfortable if I’m arriving at PHL, where I have yet to experience anything but a prolonged wait for the door to open. [aside]15 to 20 minutes too long to wait for luggage? Where’s that paradise of efficiency? (OTOH, if we add _every_ 15-minute period of improductivity or boredom we incur on a regular basis, it will always add up to something appalling over a year, so I’ve grown blah about it.)[/aside] ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2006, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-airlines-use-to-allow-two-carry-on-bags-when-did-they-stop/347092/28 "2006-03-08T02:28:28Z")
> [@lizardling](#): > > On an Indonesian puddlejumper flight years ago, I was surprised that people started getting up \*\*literally \*\* as soon as the plane hit the tarmac, let alone wait until we were \*\*at \*\* the gate. Is that what happens on \*\*TokyoPlayer’s \*\* flights, I wonder? No, Japanese wait until the plane comes to a complete stop at the gate, but then everyone jumps up, grabs their bags and heads for the door. I don’t think one has to be standing in the isles, but what really irrates me are the people who stay steated even after the line starts moving. They wait until the line is competely free, then they get up and grap their 5 bags, in the in meantime no one can get past them, so everyone has to wait. When the line starts to move, and it can be seen it will only be 2 minutes and not 15, then get up and grab their bags. Especially if they have so many. [/rant] ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2006, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-airlines-use-to-allow-two-carry-on-bags-when-did-they-stop/347092/29 "2006-03-08T04:30:36Z")
Though getting harder to avoid, who always flies Air Canada? > **[Baggage Allowance and Luggage Size Rules | Air Transat](https://www.airtransat.com/en-CA/Travel-information/Baggage)** > > Travelling with baggage? Check allowances and luggage size restrictions here so there are no surprises at the airport. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2006, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-airlines-use-to-allow-two-carry-on-bags-when-did-they-stop/347092/30 "2006-03-08T15:32:12Z")
So if I buy two seats for myself since I’m fat, do I get two carryons and two personal bags? ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2006, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-airlines-use-to-allow-two-carry-on-bags-when-did-they-stop/347092/31 "2006-03-08T15:35:10Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > So if I buy two seats for myself since I’m fat, do I get two carryons and two personal bags? Not sure if this is a tongue-in-cheek reference to previous discussion or not… But if it’s a serious question, my answer would be—yes, absolutely. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2006, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-airlines-use-to-allow-two-carry-on-bags-when-did-they-stop/347092/32 "2006-03-08T15:38:19Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > Not sure if this is a tongue-in-cheek reference to previous discussion or not… > > But if it’s a serious question, my answer would be—yes, absolutely. Let me clarify. I’m not saying that you _would_ be allowed to (i don’t know the airline rules on this issue), but i’m saying that i believe that you _should_ be allowed to. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2006, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-airlines-use-to-allow-two-carry-on-bags-when-did-they-stop/347092/33 "2006-03-08T21:19:00Z")
Of course you can have two carry-on bags - as long as one is your duty free purchases 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2006, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-airlines-use-to-allow-two-carry-on-bags-when-did-they-stop/347092/34 "2006-03-08T22:56:34Z")
> [@](#): > > I don’t think one has to be standing in the isles, but what really irrates me are the people who stay steated even after the line starts moving. They wait until the line is competely free, then they get up and grap their 5 bags, in the in meantime no one can get past them, so everyone has to wait. If they’re seated, why can’t anyone get past them? ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2006, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-airlines-use-to-allow-two-carry-on-bags-when-did-they-stop/347092/35 "2006-03-08T23:16:12Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > If they’re seated, why can’t anyone get past them? I think what s/he means is that, rather than getting their bags down before entering the aisle, these people wait until it’s their turn to leave, and then stand in the aisle and take a whole bunch of time to get their bags down before moving along. I admit that sometimes it’s very difficult to grab your bag from the overhead compartment _without_ being in the aisle. But the people who really tick me off are those who pull their bags down and then proceed to put stuff into them or repack them or root around inside, all the while blocking anyone else from leaving the plane. If you really want to fix up the contents of your carry-on before deplaning, at least have the courtesy to get out of the aisle and back into your seat so everyone else can get out. ---
**Author:** ![Gymnopithys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/fbc32d/32.png) [@Gymnopithys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gymnopithys)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2006, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-airlines-use-to-allow-two-carry-on-bags-when-did-they-stop/347092/36 "2006-03-09T14:36:29Z")
> [@](#): > > But one thing i’ve noticed, and i’ve ranted about this before, is the tendency to let people on with carry-on bags that are clearly larger than the allowable size. I’ve seen people with wheelie bags that would barely fit down the aisle. Some international carriers have size gauges for carry on bagage. If they don’t fit in, you’re not allowed to take them inside the plane. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2006, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-airlines-use-to-allow-two-carry-on-bags-when-did-they-stop/347092/37 "2006-03-09T14:38:29Z")
> [@Gymnopithys](#): > > Some international carriers have size gauges for carry on bagage. If they don’t fit in, you’re not allowed to take them inside the plane. Some domestic carriers have these too. It’s not a case of inadequate mechanisms, but inadequate enforcement. ---
**Author:** ![SmackFu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/53a042/32.png) [@SmackFu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmackFu)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2006, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-airlines-use-to-allow-two-carry-on-bags-when-did-they-stop/347092/38 "2006-03-09T14:53:23Z")
I know that they have that very strict definition of “personal item”. But what do they actually enforce? Would a backback get you hassled if you also had a carry-on size bag? ---
**Author:** ![Caractacus\_Pott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e19b73/32.png) [@Caractacus\_Pott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caractacus_Pott)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2006, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-airlines-use-to-allow-two-carry-on-bags-when-did-they-stop/347092/39 "2006-03-10T08:08:14Z")
> [@SmackFu](#): > > I know that they have that very strict definition of “personal item”. But what do they actually enforce? Would a backback get you hassled if you also had a carry-on size bag? SmackFu, On one flight on a US-domestic 737, I had my small computer backpack, small camera bag, and a large paper shopping bag that I got at the newsstand in the airport. It held water bottles, snacks, and a sandwich until the gate agent said I had too many items. So I put the camera bag into the shoppping bag and walked on the plane with 2 items. I guess it helped that I packed the major attitude in my checked baggage. I’ve used this ploy quite a few times and have yet to be hassled. ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2006, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-airlines-use-to-allow-two-carry-on-bags-when-did-they-stop/347092/40 "2006-03-10T09:38:59Z")
> [@SmackFu](#): > > I know that they have that very strict definition of “personal item”. But what do they actually enforce? Would a backback get you hassled if you also had a carry-on size bag? That’s how I travel–one backpack, one regulation size carry-on–and I’ve never gotten so much as raised eyebrow. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-airlines-use-to-allow-two-carry-on-bags-when-did-they-stop/347092.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/didnt-airlines-use-to-allow-two-carry-on-bags-when-did-they-stop/347092.md?page=3)